PHILIPPINE STAR: Tell us about growing up in Washington. What was that like?
BATISTA: You know, I have great memories. We were really, really poor. But all my memories as a kid are… good. They were rough times, though, There was a lot of violence. Not as bad as it now, though. But I have really fond memories. How much of who you are now is because of growing up poor? I think almost all of who I am now is because of it. I’ve never lost touch with that poor little kid inside. That’s why I always tell people sometimes that this is all overwhelming for me. Sometimes I’m a little introverted and I don’t know how to deal with it. This is who I am. I haven’t changed. What made you decide that wrestling was what you wanted to do for a living? Originally, I was looking to make some money. I’m sorry, but to be honest, I didn’t really appreciate it or fall in love with it until after my first tryout. When I first tried out, it was so hard and it was so challenging. It wasn’t at all what I thought it was going to be. I just kind of developed a passion for it. How old were
